Today Hollywood is stunned. George Zaloom, head of ZM Productions, can't believe Omero rejected much bigger money to sign with an unknown, out-of-the-mainstream company. Zaloom's outfit, located on Universal's back lot and described by the Los Angeles Times as "one of Hollywood's hottest mini-studios," has a relationship with Disney and is responsible for such films as Encino Man, Hearts of Darkness, and a series of ABC Saturday night family specials. Zaloom thought he had a lock. "We wanted to do a major Hollywood picture about the two brothers," he says with a heavy sigh, "and one brother goes off and signs a contact with this nothing company. I can't believe it."
No one contacted at the state film board in Madison, Wisconsin, knew anything about the brothers or about the person who bought Omero's story rights. Chip Duncan, an established Milwaukee-based documentarian, also is unaware of the "Bob" who might have made a deal. "In terms of well-known filmmakers in the state, there really aren't that many," Duncan says.
Michael contests the validity of the Wisconsin contract. It is impossible to tell the Mr. First story without including his participation, he says, and he didn't sign anything. He wants the contract voided -- not for the money, but only to have the true, complete story told. A story, he says, that acknowledges the many times he stepped up to fill in for his brother, his trip to New York for the anniversary, and his inaugural ride on the Metrorail. A story that admits this is no longer simply Omero's tale. "Take a look at this here," Michael implores, holding up a laminated copy of the New York Times article. "It has the two of us, together. Even though he's number one -- Mr. First -- we're still tied together. That's the way it wound up now. We're one. We're not two any more. We're one. That's just the way it is."
Omero disagrees. As early as 1936 he told a newspaper reporter that all he wanted to do with this Mr. First business is collect a scrapbook to show his family. "Someday my children and all my descendants will look back with pride and say, 'My ancestor was the first man to drive across that bridge.'" He has that book now A he has three of them to be exact -- sitting on a shelf in his trailer, keeping company with his rock collection. The first two bulging books are all Omero, clips blackened with age and glue that still show the genuine Mr. First crossing one threshold after another.
The latest scrapbook is different. The newest clips are primarily about Michael, and they just might give the impression that Omero did not act alone, that he was always accompanied by his brother. Omero and Michael: Team First. But if the Wisconsin movie, small as it may be, keeps Michael out, the preservation of Omero's legacy will be worth far more than the $50,000 he gave up with Hollywood. "There is only one Mr. First!" he shouts, his hands raised as if to fight. "That's not my brother. That's not anybody else. That's me. I am Mr. First!
